Just to give them their due, I have yet again had great treatment by my local Kwik-Fit.
A few days ago, I heard a bang when parked in my car, took a look but couldn't see anything wrong. Subsequently though, it was making a much more 'chuggy' sound than usual. It was worrying me, so popped into the local Kwik-Fit on Friday - they immediately diagnosed the fact that my exhaust was falling off, and sorted it out for me. Free of charge.
I just cannot fault them! I know so many of you don't like them, but I just think, if you compare their service with most (eg a plumber or electrician or whatever charging the earth just to 'take a look') then it cannot be matched.
Regards to all,
HF
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Sorry to be scepticle..Unlike them to replace unless it was bought through them.As you also didnt state whether exhaust replaced by company in question.See no reason why they would replace FOC
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Steve
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In fairness, she didn't say that they replaced the whole exhaust; they may simply have reattached a bracket, or something like that, which could cause the noise but not actually require a new exhaust.
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Sorry forgot to mention.I dont have a prob with Kwik Fit..Great firm..Methods of attracting businness another matter????
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Steve
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The jury's still out for me I'm afraid. As far as plumbers etc. go - unlike KF they do have to get to you don't they so you'd expect them to charge a fee for that. Do agree about the different standards of service apparent in different commercial sectors though. Perhaps that's due to the fact that most plumbers, sparks etc. are probably self employed or working for small outfits which don't have a 'customer comes first' policy.
Oh and just in case HF doesn't reappear in the near future, I believe the exhaust 'fix' was just a simple bracket or something. Still they could have charged for it I suppose.
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Well, maybe it depends...
They have never wanted my business, usually give me some cock and bull story such as "The tracking is beyond adjustment" "We don't change BMW oil filters as we can't get them to seal" and suchlike.
When they did replace the exhaust on my girlfriend's Punto it was some awful universal thing that hung down and didn't fit, they charged £200 too, I went back and made them put a Walkers one on.
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I think its more a function of the local branch manager's ethic. Used their Stourbridge branch and was not pleased. Direct opposite with branch at Trowbridge, Could not have been more helpful and efficient.
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Mixed experiences, so good and some bad.
One of the offspring went to have an expiring exhaust on a Fiesta renewed and was "advised" that he also required an extra fitment to the exhaust for his particular model. Cost was quoted at around £95.
Not convinced, he went to a Ford dealership who soon informed him that Kwik-Fit was pulling the wool over his eyes (or trying to) and did the work using the straightforward Ford approved exhaust for under £80.
Not often a franchised dealership proves cheaper than the quick fitters, especially using manufacturers' spare parts...:-)
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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only way to get good customer service is to shop around.
and NEVER use the same place, unless its the cheapest/best/original part
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While we're on the subject of Kwik-Fit, one of their new adverts featuring the disembodied heads of drivers extolling the virtues of said garage chain goes something like this:
"I was driving along and I got a flat tyre, the spare was flat too so I took the car down to my local Kwik-Fit..."
Er, how exactly did she get there with only 3 good wheels?
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Back, briefly - no, I didn't have the exhaust replaced, even I wouldn't expect that for free!
They replaced a bracket or whatever it was, and the chuggy sound went away, and so did the scraping noise as I went over road humps.
Steve. O. , think you're in the same area as myself and V-Man, maybe you use, or have used, the same Kwik-Fit?
In any case, I remain totally impressed by their service so far. (which I'm sure means next time they'll rip me off dreadfully, but that's another day...)
HF
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I cant say they have ever caused me any problems..Apart from one instance.Took the car in for two punctures to be fixed..Young guy was given the job. He took 2 hours to check tyres out and repair..Bear in mind he walked at snail pace between operations.and it was busy..(feel sure he didnt deserve the Job).I have replaced four tyres and balanced in less than half that time.Mind you that is in the past.Things have changed.possibly for the worst?
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Steve
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Kwik-Fit, just as with McDonalds and many similar nationwide outlets, is a franchise operation and the overall standards of servicing and customer care (whilst laid down by the main company) depends very much on the owners and the ability and the expertise of the employees they have taken on.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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Kwik-Fit, just as with McDonalds and many similar nationwide outlets, is a franchise operation and the overall standards of servicing and customer care (whilst laid down by the main company) depends very much on the owners and the ability and the expertise of the employees they have taken on.
Kwik Fit is not a franchise. It is owned by CVC Capital Partners a Large european investment house. They bought it from Ford about 2 years ago. They also own the AA. The only franchise I am aware of in the fast fit business are some of the HI Q Tyreservices centres. You are totally correct in saying that service is down to the local manager and staff.
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I've used their mobile service a couple of times (as a company car driver) and they have always seemed to do a quick, effective job. Ususally find they're more expensive when I need tyres etc. for the family cars.
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Kwik Fit is not a franchise. It is owned by CVC Capital Partners a Large european investment house.
true, very true.
in fact inthe last 3 or 4 years, these types of private capital houses have bought out the likes of homebase and halfords and "the aa" from the original conglomerates (sainsburys and boots in the two cases mentioned) who were failing to run these oerations at their optimum. these companies were then turned round in to better organised and focussed operations. homebase was then sold off at a very good profit to gus-argos and halfords was floated on the stock market. as soon as kwik-fit has been overhauled, you can expect to see it being sold on. one area they have already taken action on is the revamp of the halfords web site. the old one was pulled off the ether for the 9 months or so that it took to hatch the new one.
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